Cement firms press for restoration of tariffs

Philippine cement manufacturers are asking the government to restore tariffs on imports on June 21, as scheduled, instead of prolonging the temporary suspension of duties.

The firms, represented by the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP), also asked that cement and cement clinker be shielded from tariff reductions in the future.

These moves should protect the country from the dumping of sub-standard, undervalued foreign-made cement and will complement government efforts to develop an industry-based economy, CeMAP said in a position paper submitted to the Tariff Commission on June 4.

Their pleas come as state agencies are studying whether or not to renew Executive Order 766, which had temporarily slashed cement tariffs to 0%.

If allowed to expire this June, tariffs will revert to 3% for cement imported from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and 5% for those from elsewhere.